THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 2, 1996 TAG: 9610020002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 68 lines
A proposed Norfolk public schools grading plan that seemed to lower demands on students died the quick death it deserved, after strong opposition was voiced by many parents and teachers.
Staff writer Jon Glass reported that the plan would allow ``students to turn in assignments late, to get no grade lower than a 50 out of 100, to not be penalized for failing to do homework and to retake tests and redo assignments to raise their grades.''
A committee of administrators, principals and teachers had developed the plan, though it was still considered a work in progress. The committee was seeking a consistent grade policy for the whole system that would promote student success. School officials said academic performance and students' classroom behavior are separate issues and there are methods to deal with attitudes and behavior that don't affect grades.
``Rather than set up hurdles and barriers that would discourage students,'' said Superintendent Roy D. Nichols Jr., ``we're trying to find ways to encourage them to learn more.''
Critics said the plan undermined a Norfolk school policy requiring homework four nights a week and generally ``dumbed down'' standards.
The proposal was presented in Thursday's Pilot, and that same day School Board members and the superintendent distanced themselves from it at a meeting at Bay View Elementary School attended by about 150 people.
After a parent protested allowing students to decide whether or not to do homework, School Board Chairman Ulysses Turner said, ``You have done your homework, and I assure you our students will do their homework as well.''
Board member Joseph Waldo said, ``At a time when this board is holding teachers and administrators to new levels of accountability, we certainly expect our students to be accountable. We believe very strongly in homework and the accountability of students.''
So do we.
Aproposed Norfolk public schools grading plan that seemed to lower demands on students died the quick death it deserved, after strong opposition was voiced by many parents and teachers.
Staff writer Jon Glass reported that the plan would allow ``students to turn in assignments late, to get no grade lower than a 50 out of 100, to not be penalized for failing to do homework and to retake tests and redo assignments to raise their grades.''
A committee of administrators, principals and teachers had developed the plan, though it was still considered a work in progress. The committee was seeking a consistent grade policy for the whole system that would promote student success. School officials said academic performance and students' classroom behavior are separate issues and there are methods to deal with attitudes and behavior that don't affect grades.
``Rather than set up hurdles and barriers that would discourage students,'' said Superintendent Roy D. Nichols Jr., ``we're trying to find ways to encourage them to learn more.''
Critics said the plan undermined a Norfolk school policy requiring homework four nights a week and generally ``dumbed down'' standards.
The proposal was presented in Thursday's Pilot, and that same day School Board members and the superintendent distanced themselves from it at a meeting at Bay View Elementary School attended by about 150 people.
After a parent protested allowing students to decide whether to do homework, School Board Chairman Ulysses Turner said, ``You have done your homework, and I assure you our students will do their homework as well.''
Board member Joseph Waldo said, ``At a time when this board is holding teachers and administrators to new levels of accountability, we certainly expect our students to be accountable. We believe very strongly in homework and the accountability of students.''
So do we. by CNB